By Fermín Estribí for the Panama America - Rolando Mirones announced his resignation as the Chief of the Panamanian National Police to the press. At the press conference he gave samples and examples of his accomplishments. Mirones emphasized his administration was based on a process of reconstruction of the institution as well as the proper and correct handling of money and resources destined for its operation. In addition he said he made the decision to resign some months ago, denying any relation to recent pressure from groups such as the National Transportation Board (CANATRA) who have been calling for his resignation. According to Mirones he had not resigned earlier because he wanted to complete a process of restructuring internal to the organization, as requested by President Martin Torrijos. With regards to the problems if delinquency, the former director of the National Police said the problem is multifaceted and it is not caused by the police not doing their jobs, and that there are other organizations and institutions better suited to confront the problem and to contribute to the improvement of the Panamanian society. At the same time, Mirones denied he was going to take a position within the Electoral Tribunal and added that he is analyzing several offers to work in the private sector. Rolando Mirones has been the Chief of the Panamanian National Police since 2005.

newkerala.com Washington, May 7 : US President George W. Bush has pledged to move forward on the ratification of a free-trade agreement with Panama despite congressional opposition. Bush said Tuesday after a meeting with Panamanian President Martin Torrijos: "I assured him that we will do everything in our capacity to move the trade bills - not only the Panamanian bill, but the Colombian bill and the (South) Korean bill." The US and Panama signed a free-trade agreement in July 2007, but it has been held up over White House insistence that Congress first take up the Colombian free-trade deal, which was inked earlier. The Democrat-controlled Congress has blocked the deal with Colombia because of violence against trade unions in the country and a demand to address concerns that the deal could cost jobs in the US.

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush met with his Panamanian counterpart Martin Torrijos at the White House on Tuesday, pledging to get Congress to approve a pending free trade agreement with the Central American country. "The Panamanian free trade vote is a priority of this government. It should be a priority of the United States Congress," Bush told reporters after the meeting. In addition to free trade, Bush and Torrijos also discussed, among others, expanding trade in the Western Hemisphere and security cooperation in the region. "Panama is an important friend and ally of the United States," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters before the U.S.-Panama summit meeting.

PANAMA CITY, May 6 (Reuters) - Panama may sell its 49 percent stake in telephone operator Cable & Wireless Panama S.A., also owned by Cable & Wireless PLC, the government said on Tuesday. Panama's government is examining a study of options but has not decided whether the sale will go ahead or how it would be carried out, economy ministry spokesman Manuel Naza told Reuters. In 1997, London-based Cable & Wireless PLC (CW.L: Quote, Profile, Research) bought 49 percent of state-owned telecoms monopoly Intel S.A., for $652 million, making it the first foreign firm to enter the Panamanian telephone market. The government retained a 49 percent share with the remaining 2 percent owned by employees. (more)

Xinhua - A fire destroyed at least five warehouses in a commercial zone near Panama City, leaving one fireman injured, the Panamanian fire service said Monday. The fire began in the morning and hit some warehouses of the Colon Free Zone, the world?s second-largest free-trade zone with some 1,600 enterprises, said Panama's Fire Department, or CBP. According to the CBP, some 200 firemen, accompanied by a dozen fire trucks and rescue units, were mobilized to fight the fire, which forced the state power company to cut the electricity supply. Hundreds of people were forced to withdraw from the zone. The fireman was hurt when he fell while trying to fight the fire, and suffered burns and fractures, local reports said, adding that the fire was difficult to put out due to a lack of water pressure. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

By Delfia Cortez for La Critica - The fire that devastated six warehouses of the companies Abdalá, Elbros, Euro Moda, Presti Fashion, Mahadev and in the Colón Free Trade Zone caused more than $20 million dollars in damages. All six warehouses were destroyed and collapsed as a result of the fire. The fire started at about 9:30 am and seven hours later it still had not been controlled due to a lack of water pressure, and Colón firemen asked for tanker support from Panama City. Fireman Aldo Góndola was taken to the emergency room with minor injuries suffered fighting the fire. Dany Nadwany, the owner of Panafoto Free Trade Zone and a warehouse next to those affected by the fire, criticized the lack of a strategy to fight these fires and said that the firemen did not arrive fast enough.

Havana, May 5 (Prensa Latina) Cuba and Panama are promoting their friendly relations full of solidarity by holding the 14th inter-parliamentary conference between both nations. Gathered at the Havana-based Convention Center, Cuban and Panamanian deputies discuss issues of common interests with the objective to promote mutual cooperation. This meeting is characterized by the will to strengthen our links, said President of the Cuban Parliament International Relations Committee, Ramon Pez Ferro. According to the agenda, participants are also expected to discuss current international situation, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as great challenges faced by this region and the world at large. Other issues to be discussed include an analysis of the threats of a world economic crisis, climate change, biofuels and the processes of Latin American integration. We have come to talk frankly, said President of the Panama-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group, Carlos Alvarado, who highlighted the importance of holding this kind of events for over a decade. Alvarado said to have a great affection for the Cuban people and great admiration for the achievements of the Revolution.

By Crisly Florez for La Prensa - A fire has consumed eight warehouses owned by several companies in the Colon Free Trade zone, leaving one fireman injured. The fireman was hurt when he fell while trying to fight the fire, resulting in some burns and fractures. The fire began in the morning hours but could not be put out easily due to a lack of water pressure; employees from IDAAN have arrived to lend the appropriate support. In addition representatives from the electrical company arrived to cut power to the building. Among the companies affected are Elbros, Abdalá and New Port.

By Urania Cecilia Molina for La Prensa - Although Abraham Goti of the Municipal Direction of Urban and Domiciliary Cleanliness of the Municipality of Panama (Dimaud) said yesterday that the fire causing smoke at the Cerro Patacón dump had been controlled, this newspaper can confirm that dense smoke continues to come from this sector. "As of dawn on Monday morning you should not smell smoke or bad odors," said Gotti. Meanwhile, residents in Rio Abajo such as María del Carmen Tovio, said she has not been able to sleep for two days. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) said those being affected by smoke are not asking for medical attention. Health Minister Rosario Turner said that the Direction of the Environment of the MINSA have started an investigation into the situation. Juan De Arco, of the Fire Department's Office of Security said yesterday that they have not found indications that the fire was intentionally started. The smoke produces problems in the sinuses, reddening of the eyes, cough and sneezing. The fire started on the morning of 30 April 2008 at Cerro Patacón. By that evening the smoke had invaded Panama City. (Photo Credit: La Prensa/Víctor Arosemena)